Fireplace boiler structure



Aug. 22, 1939. PE 2,170,729

FIREPLACE BOILER STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 22, 1939. c; w, PERR I 2,170,729

FIREPLACE BQ'ILER STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 ii /2/ N 73 5;

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c. w. PERRY FIREPLACE BOILER STRUCTURE Aug. 22, 1939.

Filed Sept. '23, 1 938 3 Sheets-Sheet .3 WZ Q a wuczwiod; 62444; [5 Whi /75% 0 8! hm 5, J W m RAW: 4 m- M Z a m l i WWW/m1, Jm W. W M W m a if a 4 h w My a L,

Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE FIREPLACE BOILER STRUCTURE Charles Walter Perry, Montgomery, Ala. Application September 23, 1938, Serial No. 231,429

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a fireplace boiler structure.

The main object of the invention is to provide a fireplace boiler or in other words a water heating boiler for dwellings and the like, so constructed and'arranged as to be fitted in the space customarily provided for a fireplace alone.

In many present day types of small homes, especially those not having a basement, it is a difficult engineering problem to provide an adequate Fheating arrangement. The present invention aims to overcome this difiiculty by utilizing what would ordinarily be the fireplace space without doing away with the fireplace and still providing 35 the full equivalent of a hot water or steam heating boiler structure of the usual character. Provision is also made whereby the structure may utilize either wood, coal, gas or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, as may be desired. Provision is like- I20 wise made whereby the heat which would ordi- Inarily be wasted in an ordinary fireplace will be practically entirely conserved utilized and none :uselessly wasted in passing up the fiue.

A further object of the invention is to provide 25 in a manner as hereinafter set forth a boiler structure, so constructed and arranged in relation to a fireplace space and a conducting-off flue for products of combustion for not only utilizing the heat generated from a combusted fuel, solid or liquid, but also the heat given ofi from the.

products of combustion when travelling through the flue for the purpose of expeditiously heating a body of water.

A further object of the invention resides in the 95 providing the boiler structure, atthe front with supporting means for courses of bricks, blocks, etc. forming flush continuations of the wall of the chimney in which the fireplace space and outlet flue is provided for the purpose of bricking -40 or walling in the upper portion of said structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide, a fireplace boiler structure having selectable means to enable the use of a solid, gas, or a liquid fuel for generating heat for water heating 45 or boiling purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boiler structure having as a part thereof combined water spaces and products of combustion outlet fiue formers, and with opposed walls of 50 the flue being so formed as to enable the convenient and expeditious cleaning of the flue when occasion requires.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a fireplace 55 boiler structure which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, du- 'rable, compact, readily installed with respect to the fireplace space and flue of a wall of a chimney, damper controlled, not impairing to any great extent the front surface of the wall in which it is arranged, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

Embodying the objects aforesaid and others which may directly or indirectly hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a wall of a chimney formed with a fireplace space, and showing, in front elevation the fireplace boiler structure installed with respect to said wall,

Figure 2 is an elevation looking towards one '7 side of the boiler structure,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a closure for the structure and which is employed when combustible solid fuel is selected as a heat generating medium,

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-! Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a section on line 88 Figure '7,

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a closure for the structure and which is employed when a fluid or a liquid fuel is selected as a heat generating medium,

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the closure shown in FigurelO,

Figure 12 is a sectional detail illustrating the form of the compression nipples employed for establishing communication below the water spaces,

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view of the damper assembly,

Figure 14 is a section on line |4l4 Figure 13, Figure 15 is a section on line l5l5 Figure 13,

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the damper member and its pivot rod,

Figure 17 is a section on line n-n Figure 13,

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view of a modifled form of the units employed to provide a part 5 of the products of combustion conducting-off flue and a water space, and

Figure 19 is an elevation of a form of cleaning the conducting-off flue.

As is well-known a fireplace in a dwelling is provided by forming an open front square space in a chimney. The latter also provides a passage or flue leading from the top of the fireplace, but the flue is of less cross sectional area than the fireplace. With reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the lower portion of the passage or flue corresponds in cross sectional area to that of the open front space. In Figure 1, the chimney is indicated at I, an open front square space therein at 2 and the passage at 3. The space 2 is formed in the lower portion of and opens at the front of the chimney. The passage 3 has an enlarged squared lower portion 4 which opens into the top of and corresponds in cross sectional area to that of the space 2. The passage 3 includes a tapered intermediate portion 5 and an upper rectangular portion 6 of uniform width and reduced cross sectional area with respect to portion 4 and the major part of the portion 5. The walls of the space 2 and the walls of the portion 4, 5 and 6 merge into each other. The chimney l is also provided with a passage leading laterally from the chimney portion 6 for receiving parts, to be referred to of the boiler structure.

The boiler structure includes a pair of hollow upstanding oppositely disposed rectangular side units 1, 8 which are positioned against the side walls of the space 2, the side walls of the lower portion 4 of passage 3 and which are of a length to extend from the bottom of the side walls of space 2 to the upper ends of the side walls of the portion 4 of the passage 3. The units 1, 8 are of like form and are also positioned against the back wall of space 2 and the front and back walls of passage portion 4. Each of said units has an outer side wall 9, an inner side wall H), a top wall H, a bottom wall l2, a front wall 5 and a back wall I l. The walls 9, I!) may be of materially greater width than the width of the walls I I, l2, l3 and I4 and are so shown. The walls H, l2. l3 and Mare of uniform width. The several walls of a unit are of the same height. Each one of said units provides a water space as indicated at I5. The outer side wall 9 of each of said units is formed with an upper opening Hz, a lower opening H, and upper and lower intermediate openings l8, l9 respectively. The inner side wall I!) of each of said units is formed with upper and lower openings 20, 2! respectively. The openings 18, 20 align. The openings l9, 2| align. The purpose of the openings l8, I9, 20. 2! will be referred to.

Either of the units may be employed as a cold water intake unit. Either of the units may be used as a hot water outlet unit. When one unit is employed as a cold water intake unit, a cold water supply pipe, not shown is attached to the opening ll thereof and the opening IS in such unit is plugged or closed, and openings ll, 16 in the other unit are respectively closed and opened. When one unit is employed as a hot water outlet, a hot water supply pipe, not shown for a water heating system is attached to' the opening H5 thereof, the opening ll in such unit plugged or brush for closed, and the openings l6, H in the other of the units are respectively closed and opened. When one unit is functioning as a cold water in take, the other is acting as a hot water outlet. Each of said units may function as a cold water intake and a hot water outlet by connecting the cold water supply pipe to opening I! and a hot water conducting off pipe to opening l6 thereof. Preferably the units 7, 8 will function, one as a cold water intake, and the other as a hot water discharge.

The openings l8, 2! of a unit align and are for the passage therethrough into the structure, when desired, of a hot water conducting-off attachment, not shown employed for supplying a storage tank, bath rooms, wash basin and sinks with hot water. When the attachment is not used the opening I8 is closed by a suitable'plug.

The inner side wall it] of the units 1, 8 is formed with an upper pair of horizontally aligned spaced upper openings Zi a pair of spaced intermediate openings 22, 23, the latter being disposed in offset relation with and slightly above the opening 22, a pair of horizontally aligned spaced lower openings 24, and an opening 25 below, in proximity to and aligned with the opening 23. The openings 2|, 22, 23, 24 are arranged in the side marginal portions of the wall IE] and are disposed in vertical alignment. The opening 25 is arranged in one of the side marginal portions of wall H1. The purpose of the openings 2 l 22, 23, 24, 25 will be referred to.

The boiler structure incudes an upstanding hollow lower intermediate unit 26 which is arranged between the rear portions of and is of less height than the units 1, 8. The unit 25 abuts the walls l0 and has its lower end aligning with the walls l2 of the units 1, 8. The unit 26 provides a water space, substantially of rectangular contour in elevation and comprises a rear wall 2'1, a front wall 28, a pair of side walls 29, a top wall 30 and. a bottom wall 3!. The front wall 28 is formed of a lower vertically disposed straight stretch 32 and an upper forwardly directed curved stretch 33. Each side wall is formed of a lower vertically disposed straight stretch 34 and an upper forwardly directed upper stretch 35 substantially of semipear-shaped contour. Owing to the form of unit 26 the upper portion of the water space, provided by the unit is of greater width in vertical section than the remaining portion of such space. The outer face of the front wall 28 of unit 26 is formed lengthwise thereof with spaced reinforcing ribs 35. The ribs 36, extend from the upper end to a point removed from the lower end of wall 28. The latter below the rims 28 is formed on its outer face with a transverse ledge or shoulder 31 constituting a support for a purpose to be referred to. The stretches 32, 34 are of materially greater length than the stretches 33, 35. Each side wall of the unit 26 is formed near its upper and lower ends with openings 38, 39 respectively for a purpose to be referred to.

When unit 26 is arranged relative to units 1, 8 the rear wall of unit 25 is flush with the rear or back walls IQ of the units 1, 8. The side walls of the unit 26 are of materially less width than the side walls of the units 1, 8. When the unit 26 is disposed in relation to the units 1, 8, the unit 26 forms the back wall and the units 1, 8 the side walls of what may be termed a fire box or space having an open front. The means employed to provide the top wall of the fire box will be referred to.

Arranged between the inner side walls of the units 1, 8 forwardly of and spaced from the unit 26 is a front hollow oblong unit All constituting a water space. The unit 42 is of materially less height than the units 1, 8 and bridges the lower portion of the open front of the space between units I, 8. The unit Ml consists of a top wall 4|,

"vertically disposed upper end part 51, a lower Figure I2.

a bottom wall 42, a front wall43, a rear wall 44 and a pair of side walls 45. The bottom and front walls of the unit 49 are flush respectively with the bottom and front walls of the units I, 8. The side walls 45 of the unit 40 are formed with openings 49. I

When the unit 49 is arranged relatively to the units I, 9, the openings 46 of unit 40 register with one of the openings 24 in the inner side walls of the units 1, 8, and mounted in each pair of the said registering openings is a compression nipple 47 of the form shown. in Figure 12. The nipples 4'! establish communication between the lower portion of the water spaces provided by the units '1, Band the water space formed by the unit 49. When the unit 26 is arranged. relatively to the units I, 8, the openings 39, of unit 29 register with the other of the openings 24 in the inner side walls of the units I, 8, and mounted in each pair of. the said registering openings is a compression nipple 48 of the form shown in Figure 12. The nipples 43 establish communication between the lower portion of the water spaces provided by the units I, 8 and the lower portion of the water spaces formed by the unit 26. When unit 26 is arranged relatively to the units I, 8 the openings 38, of unit 29 register with the openings 25 in the inner side walls of the units I, 8, and mounted in each pair .of the said registering openings is a compression nipple 49 of the form shown in The nipples 49 establish communication between the .upper portion of thewater space provided by the unit 29 and the intermediate portion of the water spaces formed by the units I, 8. The boiler structure includes a series of pairs of oppositely disposed hollow sidewise abutting spaced upstanding flue wall and water space forming upper intermediate units. The units of each of a pair of units of said series are indicated at 59, 5!. The units 59 are of like form. The units 5! are of like construction, arranged rearwardly of and having their front walls aligned and spaced from the rear walls of units 50. The latter are of greater height than the height of and are disposed in depending relation with respect to the bottom of the units 5|. The upper ends of the units of each pair are flush. The unit 26 is arranged rearwardly of and above the bottom of units 59. The units 5| are mounted on the top wall of unit 26. The number of pairs of units of the series may be as desired, and the number of the pairs is shown by way'of example as four. Each unit 59 comprises front wall 52, a top wall 53, a bottom wall 54, a pair of side walls 55 and a rear wall 59. The latter consists of a end part 58 curving forwardly from its upper to its lower end, a vertical part 59 merging at its lower end into the upper end ofand of greater length than part 59, a series of superposed rearwardly extending downwardly inclined parts 60, 9!, 62, a series of superposed forwardly directed downwardly inclined parts 93, 94, 65, and curved parts 66, 6?, E8, 69, 19. The inclined part 63 is of less length than any one of the others inclined parts and merges at its upper or rear end into the lower end of part 51. The lower or rear end of the inclined part 62 merges into the upper end of the part 59. The parts 96, 68, 19 are oppositely disposed with respect to the parts 91, 99. The part 66 merges into the forward ends of the parts 69, E3. The part 9'! merges into the rear ends of the parts 99, 69. The part 68 merges into the forward ends of the parts 6|, 94. The part 69 merges intothe rear endsof the parts 6|, 65. The part 10 merges into the forward ends of the parts 62, F35. The manner of setting up the rear wall 56 of a unit 59 provides such wall of substantially corrugated form. Each side wall of a unit 59 is formed with openings II, 13 in proximity to its upper and lower ends thereof respectively and an opening I5 in its upper portion rearwardly of the openings II, I3. Each unit is formed with upper and lower tubular bracing sleeves I2, I4 respectively which are integral with the inner surfaces and open at the outer surfaces of the side walls. The bottom wall 54 of each unit 59 is extended forwardly, as at it for a purpose to be referred to.

Each unit 9| includes a front wall 11, a rear wall it, a bottom wall 19, a top wall 79 and a pair of side walls 90. The bottom walls I9 of the units 5i are arrangedabove the bottom walls 54 of the units 50 and seat directly on the top wall 39 of unit 29. The front wall 11 of each unit is formed of a vertical upper end part BI, an upstanding lower end part 82 inclining forwardly from its upper to its .lower end, a series of rearwardly extending superposed parts 93, 84, 85 inclining downwardly from front to rear, a series of forwardly extending superposed parts 95, 81, 89 inclining downwardly from rear to front, a series of superposed rearwardly directed curved parts 89, 99, 9| and a series of forwardly directed curved parts 92, 93, 94. The inclined part 86 is of less length than any one of the outer inclined parts of the wall. The part 89 connects the parts 93, 99 together. The part 92 connects the parts 9 89 together. The part 99 connects the parts 34, 81 together. The part 93 connects the parts 89, 88 together. The part 9i connects the parts 85, 88 together, and the part 94 connects the parts 82, 85 together. The construction, as referred to of the wall 'I'l forms it of substantially corrugated form. Each side wall of a unit 5i is formed with an upper opening 95, a lower opening 96, an upper tubular bracing'sleeve 91 and a lower tubular bracing sleeve 98. The sleeves 91 and 98 are integral with the inner surfaces and open at the outer surfaces of the side walls of a unit, The openings in the side walls of a unit 5| align.

The boiler structure includes a pair of oppositely disposed spaced hollow upstanding flue wall and water space forming outer upper units 99, between which is arranged, in sidewise abutting relation the units 59, 5|. The units 99 also abut, in sidewise relation the upper portions of the inner side Walls ID of the units 1, 9. The forward portion of each unit 99 corresponds in height to the units 59. The rear portion of each unit 99 corresponds in height to the units 5I. The units 99 are of like form and each consists of a top wall I99, a front wall IDI, a bottom wall formed of a front section I92 and a rear section I99 spaced from and disposed above section I92, a pair of side walls I94, a rear wall Hid and a partition I95. The latter consists of an upstanding front portion lilii, an upstanding rear portion I 9! spaced from said portion I99 and a horizontal top portion I98 spaced from the top walls I99, IIJI and wall I94? The portions I05, I01 are spaced from the walls Iili, I04 respectively. The partitions I95 form the units 99 with front and rear water spaces communicating at their upper ends. The front portion Hit, of partition I 95 merges at its upper end into the forward end of portion I 98 and at its lower end into the rear end of bottom section I02. The rear portion I97,

of partition I95 merges at its upper end into the rear end of top portion I98 and at its lower end into the forward end of bottom section I93. The front portion I95, of partition I is substantially of the same contour and height as and aligns for the major part of its length with the rear walls of the units 59. The rear portion of I9! is substantially of the same contour and height as and aligns for the major part of its length with the front walls of the units 5|. The units 99 are flush with the units 59, 5| and also with the units I, 8. The side Walls of eachunit 99 are formed with upper and lower forward openings I99, H9 respectively and with upper and lower rear openings I I I, I I2 respectively. Each unit 99 is formed with upper and lower forward tubular bracing sleeves H3, H4 integral with the inner surfaces and opening at the outer surfaces of its side walls, and with upper and lower' rear tubular bracing sleeves H5, H8 respectively integral with the inner surfaces and opening at the outer surfaces of its side walls. The'side walls of each unit 99 are formed in their upper portions with aligned openings HI communicating with the forward water space of such units. The front bottom section I92 of each unit 99 is extended forwardly with respect to the front wall of the unit, as at H8 for a purpose to be referred to. The openings I99, III) of the side walls of each unit 99 align. The openings HI, H2 of the side walls of each unit 99 align.

The boiler structure includes means for establishing communication between the water spaces provided by the units 59 and in this connection the openings H, I3 in the inner side walls of the outer units of the series register with the openings II, 13 in the outer side walls of a pair of adjacent units 59' and the openings 1 I, I3 of the inner side walls of said pair of adjacent units register. Extending through each pair of registering openings, of the units 59 is a tubular compression'nipple I I9 of the form shown by Figure 12. The boiler structure also includes means for establishing communication between the water spaces provided by the units 5|, and in this connection the openings 95, 99 in the inner side walls of the outer units of the series register with the openings 95, 96 in the outer side walls of a pair of adjacent units 5|, and the openings 95, 98 of the inner side walls of said pair of adjacent units 5| register. Extending through each pair of registering openings, of the units 5| is a tubular compression nipple I29 of the form shown by Figure 12.

The boiler structure further includes means for establishing communication between the water spaces provided by the units 99 and those formed by the units 59, 5! and in this connection the openings E99, H9 in the inner side walls of the units 99 register with the openings II, 13 of the outer side walls of the outer units 59 of said series, and the openings I I I, I I2 in the inner side walls of the units 99 register with the openings 95, 98 of the outer side walls of the outer units 5| of said series. Extending through each pair of registering openings, as aforesaid is a tubular compression nipple I2! of the form shown by Figure 12. The boiler structure further includes means for establishing communication between the water spaces provided by the units 99 and the upper portion of the water spaces formed by the units I, 8, and in this connection the openings I99, H9 of the outer side walls of the units 99 register with one of the openings 2| and the opening 22 of the inner side walls of the units I, 8, and the openings III, H2 of the outer side walls of the units 99 register with the other opening 2| and the opening 23 in the inner side walls of the units I, 8. Extending through each pair of the registering openings relative to umts I, 8, 99 is a tubular compression nipple I22.

The unit I and the unit 8 is formed with an upper pair, an intermediate pair and a lower pair I23, I24, I25 respectively of horizontally aligned tubular bracing sleeves which are integral with the inner surfaces and open at the outer surfaces of the side walls of each of said units. The units I, 8 intermediate the ends of their front walls are provided with forwardly directed extensions, as at I26, I21. The unit 25 has arranged therein a pair of upstanding spaced parallel webs I28 which are integral with the inner faces of the front and rear wall of such unit. The webs I28 constitute braces and have their upper and lower ends spaced from the top and bottom walls of unit 26.

When the units I, 8, 29, 49, 59, 5I' and 99 are assembled in the manner as shown, the sleeves II, H3 and one of the sleeves I23 of the units I, 8 coact to form a forward upper set of aligned sleeves; the sleeves I4, H4 and one of the sleeves I24 of the units I, 8 coact to form a forward intermediate set of aligned sleeves; the sleeves 91, H5 and the other sleeve I23 of the units I, 8 coact to form a rear upper set of aligned sleeves; the sleeves 98, H6 and the other sleeve I24 of the units I, 8 coact to form a rear intermediate set of aligned sleeves; the forward sleeves I25 of the units I, 8 coact to form a forward set of aligned sleeves; and the rear sleeves I25 of the units I, 8 coact to form a rear lower set of aligned sleeves. Extending through each of the sets of aligned sleeves is a tie means in the form'of a headed threaded bolt I29 carrying a clamping nut I39., The lower tie means connects the lower portions of the units I, 8 together and against the sides of the units 28 and 49. The others of the said several tie means connect the the units 5| together in sidewise abutting relation, the units 99 in sidewise abutting relation with respect to the units 59, 5! and the units 99 in sidewise abutting relation with respect to the inner side walls of the units 1, 8. When the units 58, 5|, 99 are arranged in abutting relation and the units 99 disposed in abutting relation relative to the inner side walls of units I, 8, the extensions H5, H8, I29, I21 align and coact to form a forwardly extending ledge I32 upon which the portion I33 of the front wall of the chimney is built upon and supported, as shown by Figure 1. The wall portion I33 conceals the upper part of the front of units I, 8 and the front of units 59, 99. The bottom 54 of the units 59 and the bottom sections I92 of the units 99, when such units are assembled form the top wall of the firebox. The units I, 8, 59, 5|, 99 when disposed in assembled relation form a flue I34 for the passage of the products of combustion. At this point it will be stated that the side walls of each unit 99 are formed centrally thereof with lengthwise extending aligned cutouts opening at their lower ends at the bottom of the unit and having closed upper ends arranged below and in proximity to the top wall of the unit. The edges of the cutouts conform in contour to the shape of the partition I95. The latter is integral with the inner faces of the side walls of a unit 99 and flush with the'edges of the cutouts. The edges of the cutouts are indicated at 135. Theside walls of the flue I34 are provided by the inner side walls of the units 1, 8. The front wall of the flue I34 is formed by the forward portions of the partitions and the rear walls of the units 50. The rear wall of the flue I34 is provided by the rear portions of the partitions and the front walls of the units The units 99 are so constructed and arranged relative to the units '26, 50, 5I as to provide the flue I34 with an intake I36 and an outlet I31. The front and rear walls of the flue I34 are corrugated due to the shape of the forward and rear portions of the partitions I05, the shape of the rear walls of the units 59 and the shape of the forward walls of the units 5|. The corrugated front and rear walls of the flue I34 provide for conserving the heat from the products of combustion to utilize it for heating the water space of units 50, 5I, 99; for deflecting the products of combustion on travelling outwardly from flue I34; for retarding the discharge of such products; and to provide broad heating surfaces for the water spaces of the units 50, 5|, 99. The corrugations of the front wall of the flue I34 are spaced from and do not overlap the corrugations of the rear wall of the flue, and the corrugations of said front wall are disposed in staggered relation with respect to the corrugations of the rear wall. This arrangement enables for the convenient and expeditious cleaning of the flue, by a suitable brush when necessary.

Certain of the openings 15 of the units 50 register, the other of the openings 15 of such units register with the openings Tim the inner side walls of the units 99, the openings I I1 in. the outer side walls of units 99 register with the openings 20 in the inner side walls of the units 1, 8 and extending through each pair of such registering openings is a tubular compression nipple I29 of the form shown by Figure 12. The attachment referred to which is to be passed through openings I8 of a unit 1, 8 is to be of a length to extend through the nipples I 29 mounted in an opening 20, in a unit 99 and a plurality of units 50.

The boiler structure includes a damper assembly I38 which is mounted on the units I, 8, 50, 5|, 99 and forms an upward continuation of the flue I34. The assembly I38 is built within the chimney I, and includes a rotatable damper member adjusting bar or rod I39 projecting from the side I39 of chimney I. The bar I39 carries a handle piece I49 outwardly adjacent to the said side of the chimney. The assembly I38 includes a hollow tapered lower section I4I, of rectangular contour in horizontal cross section having a vertically disposed endless flange I42 at its upper end and an endless laterally extending horizontal flange I43 at its bottom seating on the tops of the units 1, 8, 50, 5I, 99. The assembly includes an upper section I 43* formed of an upstanding rectangular hollow body I 44, which at its lower portion encompasses the flange I42. The bottom edge of body I44 seats on the outer face of section I4I at the point of mergence of the body of the latter with the flange I42. One side of body I44 is formed with an opening I45, and integral with such side is the inner end of a laterally extending sleeve I46 which communicates with body I44, and arranged in a horizontally disposed passage I41 formed in and opening at the side I39 of the chimney. The outer end of sleeve I46 is spaced inwardly from the open outer end of passage I41. The bar I39 projects outwardly from the outer end of passage I41. The outer end of sleeve I46 has detachably connected thereto, as at I48 a removable closure I49. The bottom of the wall I54 of the opening I45 is formed with an inverted U- shaped notch I50. That side of the body I44 opposite the side of the latter formed with the notch I50 is provided with an opening I5I which aligns with the notch I50. The closure I49 is formed with an opening I52 which also aligns with the notch I50. Operating within the body I44, above the opening I45 is a flat rectangular horizontally disposed damper member I53 having its upper face secured, by the holdfast devices I 54 to the lower face of the bar I39. The latter is of circular cross section and of a length to be removably mounted in the opening I5I and notch I50, to pass through opening I52 and to extend from the outer end of passage I41. The walls of the openings I5I, I52 provide bearings and supports for the bar I39. When the closure I49 is disconnected from the sleeve I46, the damper member I53 and the bar I39 may be removed from the upper section of the damper assembly. The front, the rear and the side of the body I45, in proximity to its upper end is formed with a laterally extending continuous horizontally disposed flange I55 aligning with the top of sleeve I46. The flanges I43 and I55 coact with courses of the bricks of the chimney for anchoring the damper assembly stationary in position to form a continuation of flue I34.

When the boiler structure is to be operated by heat generated from solid combustible fuel, an open top fuel holder I56 of grate-like form is arranged in the fire box. The rear part of the bottom of the holder is extended rearwardly with respect to the rear side of the holder. The latter is to be mounted on the ledge or support 31 and to also extend below the lower ends of the ribs 36 and ledge 31. It is to be understood that a combustible fuel holder of any suitable form may be arranged in the fire box and supported in any suitable manner. When the boiler structure: is to be operated from a solid combustible fuel, the front of the fire box preferably will be closed, and for such purpose a closed top and open bottom frame I56 (Figure 5) will form a part of such closure. The sides of the frame I56 will be provided with spaced openings I51 for the passage of securing devices, not shown to detachably connect the sides of the frame against the outer surfaces of the lower portions of the front walls of the units 1, 8. The sides of frame I56 are provided, as at I58, with means for pivotally suspending the hinge members I58 of a pair of oppositely opening doors I59. These latter are provided with combined latching and handle means I60, and air inlet controlling devices I6I When the boiler structure is to be operated by heat generated from a combustible liquid or fluid fuel, a fire clay lining, set up in the form of a pot, not shown, is arranged in. the lower portion of the fire box. This pot is to act as a support for a gas or an oil burner, not shown. When the boiler structure is operated from a burner, of one of the types referred to, the open front of the fire box will be closed, and for such purpose a closure plate I62 (Figures and 11) will be employed. The plate I62 will be formed with openings I63 for the passage of securing devices not shown to detachably connect it against the front faces oi the front walls of the units 1, 8, and when so connected the front of the fire box is closed. The upper portion of the inner face of the plate I62 has connected there against, by the holdfast means I63 one or more fire clay bricks I64, which will be arranged above and seat on the pot aforesaid.

When the boiler structure is operated by the heat generated from gas or oil there will be extended through the body of the chimney and through the opening I9, 2| of a unit 1 or 8 a gas or oil supply line, not shown which opens into the burner.

When the boiler structure is operated from heat generated from gas or oil, the corrugated portions of the partitions, the corrugated front wall of the flue and the corrugated rear wall of the flue have added thereto means for absorbing heat from the products of combustion. The said heat absorbing means will be formed on the forwardly extending parts of the front portions of the partitions of the units 99, the forwardly extending parts of the rear walls of the units 50, the rearwardly extending parts of the rear portions of the partitions of the units 99, and the rearwardly extending parts of the front walls of the units The said heat absorbing means" is set up by providing the lower face of each of the said forwardly and rearwardly extending parts aforesaid throughout and integrally therewith with a set of depending spaced studs possessing a heat absorbing characteristic. With reference to Figure 18 there is shown, by way of example the manner of disposing the studs with respect to the forwardly extending parts 54a of the flue front wall and the rearwardly extending parts E65 of the flue rear wall. The studs on the parts I64 are indicated at I58. The studs on the parts I65 are designated I67. In Figure IS the units are indicated at I68, 169 which, without the studs I66, IE! will correspond in form to the units 50, 51 respectively.

With reference to Figure 19, it illustrates a form of tool which may be used to conveniently clean out flue I34 when necessary. The tool generally indicated at H0 includes an elongated stem l1! having an angularly disposed end portion I12, upon which is mounted a brush I13. The other end terminal portion of the stem I'll has secured thereon a handle H4.

The floor upon which the chimney is built may be provided with an opening, not shown at the bottom of the fire box. The opening to be closed by a trap door, not shown of a type capable of being shifted to open and closed position with respect to the opening. When shifted to open position, it will provide for the ashes, at the bottom of the fire box passing through the opening into a collector below the floor.

The hollow units may be constructed from cast iron, steel, bronze, aluminum or any other suitable metallic material.

What I claim is:

1. A fireplace boiler structure including a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding hollow spaced parallel side units providing water spaces and the side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, a hollow lower intermediate unit arranged between the lower portions of said side units and providing the back wall of the fire box and a water space, a hollow front unit arranged between said side units forwardly of and of less height than said intermediate unit and providing a water space, upper sidewise abutting hollow units arranged between the upper portions of said side units and providing the top wall of the fire box and water spaces, certain of said upper units being disposed in forward relation with respect to said lower unit, certain of said upper units being mounted upon the top of said lower unit, the said side and upper units being formed with coacting parts to provide an outlet flue opening through the top wall of the fire box, means for establishing communication between the upper units and between the upper units and the side units, means for establishing communication between the side units and said lower unit and between the side units and said front unit, and means for connecting the units together.

2. A fireplace boiler structure including a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding hollow spaced parallel side units providing water spaces and the side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, a hollow lower intermediate unit arranged between the lower portions of said side units and providing the back wall of the fire box and a water space, a hollow front unit arranged between said side units forwardly of and of less height than said intermediate unit and providing a water space, upper sidewise abutting hollow units arranged between the upper portions of said side units and providing the top wall of the fire box and water spaces, certain of said upper units being disposed in forward relation with respect to said lower unit, certain of said upper units being mounted upon the top of said lower unit, the said side and upper units being formed with coacting parts to provide an outlet flue opening through the top wall of the fire box, means for establishing communication between the upper units and between the upper units and the side units, means for establishing communication between the side units and said lower unit and between the side units and said front unit, means for connecting the units together, means for controlling the flue, said flue having corrugated front and rear walls, and each of said side units being formed with a cold water inlet and ahot water outlet.

3. In a fireplace boiler structure, a pair of upstanding hollow side units providing water spaces, a hollow lower unit arranged between said side unit and forming a water space, a pair of hollow spaced parallel upper units arranged between said side units, seated on and extending forwardly from said lower unit and providing water spaces, a set of rear hollow units arranged between said upper units, seated on said lower unit and providing water spaces, a. set of hollow front units arranged between said upper units disposed forwardly of and in spaced relation to the rear units and providing water spaces, the said upper units, the said set of front units, said pair of side units and the said lower unit coacting to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said side and upper units and the units of said sets having coacting parts to form an outlet flue opening into said fire box, means for establishing permanent communication between the water spaces of said units, means for securing said units together in sidewise abutting relation, and said side units being formed with a selectable cold water intake and a selectable hot water outlet.

4. In a fireplace boiler structure, a pair of upstanding hollow side units providing water spaces, a hollow lower unit arranged between said side units and forming a water space, a pair of hollow spaced parallel upper units arranged between said side units, seated on and extending forwardly from said lower unit and providing water spaces, a set of rear hollow units arranged between said upper units, seated on said lower unit and providing water spaces, a set of hollow front units arranged between said upper units disposedi'forwardly of and in spaced relationto the'lrear units and providing water spaces, the said upper units, the said set of front units, said pair of'side units and the said lower unitcoacting to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said side and upper units and the units of said sets having coacting parts to form an outlet flue opening into said fire box, means for establishing permanent communication between the water spaces of said units, means for securing said units together in sidewise abutting relation, said side units being formed with a selectable cold water intake and a selectable hot water outlet, said flue including a front, rear and a pair of side walls, each of said upper units being formed with a partto provide a side wall of said flue and corrugated parts to form portions of the front and rear walls of the flue, the said set of front units having corrugated means for forming the remaining portion of the front wall of the flue, and the'said' set of rear units having corrugated means for forming the remaining portion of the rear wall of the flue.

51 In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting relation and providing permanentlycommunicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, and the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets.

6. In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting relation and providing permanently communicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls, of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, and the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets, said aligned coacting parts being corrugated whereby the said front and rear walls are of like form.

'7'. In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting relation and providing permanently communicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, and the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot Water outlets, said aligned coacting parts being corrugated whereby the said front and rear walls are of'like form, the corrugations of the front wall being staggered with respect to the corrugations of the rear wall.

8. In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting I relation and providing permanently communicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, and the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets, the units of said series being formed withregistering openings, and a tubular compression nipple mounted in each pair of registering openings and extending into a pair of water spaces.

9. In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting relation and providing permanently communicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets, the units of said series being formed with registering openings, and a tubular compression nipple mounted in each pair of registering openings and extending into a pair of water spaces, said coacting aligned parts. being oppositely disposed and corrugated whereby the said front and rear walls will be of a like form.v

10. In a fireplace boiler structure, a series of upstanding hollow units arranged in sidewise abutting relation and providing permanently communicating water receiving spaces, said units being arranged relatively to each other to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, several of said units provided with coacting aligned parts forming the front and the rear wall of an outlet flue opening into said fire box, certain of the said several units provided with coacting means to form the side walls of said flue means for securing said series of units in sidewise abutting relations, the outer units of said series being formed with selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets, the units of said series being formed with registering openings, and a tubular compression nipple mounted in each pair of registering openings and extending into a pair of water spaces, said coacting aligned parts being oppositely disposed and corrugated whereby the said front and rear walls will be of like form, the corrugations of the front wall being staggered with respect to the corrugations of the rear wall.

11. In a fireplace boiler structure, a pair of upstanding spaced parallel hollow side units forming water receiving spaces, an upstanding hollow lower back unit of less height than and arranged between said side units and providing a water receiving space, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portion of said space of the back unit and the spaces of said side units, a pair of spaced parallel hollow upper units arranged between said side units and seated on and extended forwardly from the top of said back unit and providing water receiving spaces, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portions of the spaces of the upper units with the spaces of said side units, a set of hollow rear units seated on the top of said back unit, arranged between said upper units and providing water receiving spaces, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portions of the spaces provided by the units of said set, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portions of the spaces of the upper units and the spaces of the outer units of said set, a set of hollow front units spaced forwardly from the other set, arranged between said upper units and providing water receiving spaces, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portions of the spaces provided by the set of front units, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower portions of the spaces of the upper units and the spaces of the outer units of said second set, said side, back, upper and front set of units coacting to form the top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said side units, said sets of units and said upper pair of units having coacting parts to form an outlet flue opening into the fire box, one of said side units being formed with a cold water intake and a hot water outlet, and means for securing said units in sidewise abutting relation.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 having said flue formed of a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls, said front and rear walls being corrugated.

13. In a fireplace boiler structure, a pair of spaced upstanding parallel side units forming water receiving spaces, an upstanding hollow lower back unit forming a water receiving space communicating with the water spaces of the side units, a pair of upstanding spaced parallel upper units arranged between said side units, seated at the rear on the top of said back unit and providing water receiving spaces communicating with the Water spaces of the side units, a set of upstanding sidewise arranged hollow rear units arranged between said upper units, seated on said back unit forming communicating water receiving spaces communicating with the water spaces of the upper units, a set of upstanding sidewise arranged front units disposed between the upper units, spaced forwardly from the units of the other set and provided with communicating water receiving spaces communicating with the water receiving spaces of the upper units, said sides, back, upper and set of front units having coacting parts to form the back, top and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said side, upper and the said sets of units having coacting parts to form an outlet flue opening into the fire box, said fiue including front, rear and side walls, the front and rear walls of said flue being corrugated, means for securing said units together in sidewise abutting relation, and one of said side units being formed with a cold water intake and a hot water outlet.

14. In a fireplace boiler structure, a pair of spaced upstanding parallel side units forming water receiving spaces, an upstanding hollow lower back unit forming a water receiving space communicating with the water spaces of the side units, a pair of upstanding spaced parallel upper units arranged between said side units, seated at its rear on the top of said back unit and providing water receiving spaces communicating with the water spaces of the side units, a set of upstanding sidewise arranged hollow rear units arranged between said upper units, seated on said back unit forming communicating water receiving spaces communicating with the water spaces of the upper units, a set of upstanding sidewise arranged front units arranged between the upper units, spaced forwardly from the units of the upper set and provided with communicating water receiving spaces communicating with the water receiving spaces of the upper units, said sides, back, upper and set of front units having coacting parts to form the back, top and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said side, upper and the said sets of units having coacting parts to form an outlet flue opening into the fire box, said flue including front, rear and side walls, the front and rear walls of said flue being corrugated, means for securing said units together in sidewise abutting relation, one of said side units being formed with a cold water intake and a hot water outlet, and a lower front hollow unit arranged between the side units and providing a water receiving space communicating with the water spaces of the side units;

15. In combination, a chimney having its lower portion formed with an open front space and a passage leading upwardly from the top of said space, an upstanding water heater structure having communicating water receiving spaces, said structure being arranged in said space and extending upwardly into said passage, said structure having parts of its lower portion coacting to form substantially hollow top, back and side walls of a fire box for receiving a heat generating means, said structure having its upper portion lining said passage and provided with coacting parts to form a flue leading from said fire box having a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall, said front and rear walls being corrugated substantially throughout, and said structure being formed with, means to provide selectable cold water intakes and selectable hot water outlets.

CHARLES WALTER PERRY. 

